British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
