British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey said. "They were part of numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
