British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
