RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
