Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of access tunnels leading to the site... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
