RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their courage," Healey said. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
