Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
