RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts down to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
