Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts down to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
