RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
