RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
