British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," he said. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
