British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
