RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed 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 the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
