Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of access tunnels down to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
