Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several entry passages down to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he said. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
