Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, 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 Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts leading to the facility... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were among a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
