Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
