British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages leading to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
