RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
