Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
