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), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
