British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
