Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of approach shafts down to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
