British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
