RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
