RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
