Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
