British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
