British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
