RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
