RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
