Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," he added. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
