British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
