British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
