RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
