RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels down to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
