RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
