Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
