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 British defence ministry.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
