RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
