Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
