Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
