Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
