Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
