RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
