British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
