British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
