RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages leading to the site... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
