RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of entry passages leading to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey said. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
