RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," he said. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
