British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey said. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
