RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
