RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
