British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
