British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he added. "They were among numerous British troops on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
