RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who threaten our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
