British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages leading to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
