RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
