RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
