British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
