Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
