RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
