RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
