RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes 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 reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
