Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
