RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
