Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
