RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
