British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
