RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
