RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action 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," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," he commented. "Including them were thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
