Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," Healey said. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
