Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
