Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination 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 patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
