RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
