Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," he added. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
