Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
