RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," he added. "They were among a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
