British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
