RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts down to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
