RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - established militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
