British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several entry passages down to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he added. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
