RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
