Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
