Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he added. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who endanger our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
