RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
