RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
