Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he added. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
