British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
