British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
