RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts down to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
