British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he added. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
