Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed 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 statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
