Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages down to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he said. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
