British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts down to the site... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
