Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages leading to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, shows how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
