British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
