RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
