Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
