RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our safety, shows how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
