British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
