British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces involved in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
