Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
