British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
