RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
