RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
