RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," he said. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
