RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
