Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages down to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
