Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages leading to the depot... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
