Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
