British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
