RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, located using surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
