Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
