RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
