Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
