British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
