Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
