Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts down to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
