RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
