Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
