British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
