RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
