Royal Air Force Typhoon jets 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 surveillance, was assessed as 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 used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he added. "They were among thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
