RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
