RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
