British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
