British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
