RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
