RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
