RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
