British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
