RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
