British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
