RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages providing entry to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
