RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
