RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
