RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, 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 said.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "They were among a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
