British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation 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, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts down to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
