RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign 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 assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
