RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
