British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
