Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
