RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels leading to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
