RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate 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 MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
