British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder 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 John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
