British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
