RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
