British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
