Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
