British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
