RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
