RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
