British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages down to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
