British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
