RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
