British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
