RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
