Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
