British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
