RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
