RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
