British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
