RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
