British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages down to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
