Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts down to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
