Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels down to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
