Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
