British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
