RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the site... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," he added. "They were part of a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
