RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels down to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
