RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages leading to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "They were among a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
