RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages leading to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
