Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
