Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages leading to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
