RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
