RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
