British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "They were among numerous British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
