Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
