RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he said. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
