RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
