British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
