British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of access tunnels down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
