Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
