RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts down to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
