RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," he said. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
