RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages leading to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
