British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
