British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
