RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
