British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," Healey added. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
