Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s 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), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
