British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
