Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts down to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he added. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
