Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
