RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages down to the site... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
