British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
