RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," he said. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who endanger our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
