British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
