Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
