Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
