RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
