British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
