Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several entry passages down to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
