Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts leading to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," he commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
