RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
