RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
