RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "They were among numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
