Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
