British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," he commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
