Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
