British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts down to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
