British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
