RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
