RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
