British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
