Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
