Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
