British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
