RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
