Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
