Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
