Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey added. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
