British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
