RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
