British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat 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 strike for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
