RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
