Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
