RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he added. "They were part of a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
