RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
