Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of access tunnels down to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey said. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
