RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
