Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
