British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
