Royal 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), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
