British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
