Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
