RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, located using surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
