RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
