RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, after an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
