RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
