British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels down to the facility... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
