British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of access tunnels down to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
