British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
