RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels down to the depot... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
