Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
