RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
