Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
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 FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
