British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
