British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
