RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
