RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
