British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
