RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
