British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation against 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 intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey added. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
