RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
