RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
