British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
