Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
