RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination 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 region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," he added. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
