RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages down to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
