Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
