British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of entry passages down to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
