British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
