British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were among numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove militants who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
