British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts down to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
