RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he said. "Including them were numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
