RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were among numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
