RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
