British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey said. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
