RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
