Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages down to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
