British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
