British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
