British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
