RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts leading 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 attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
