RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts leading to the site... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
