British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages leading to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
