RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels down to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," 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 defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
