Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels down to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, 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 area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
