RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
