British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
