British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening 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 ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
