Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts leading to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
