RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
