RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
