British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
