RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several access tunnels down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
