RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
