British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
