British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
