Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," he commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
