RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
