Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
