British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
