RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
