Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
