British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels down to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
