British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
