RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he said. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove militants who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
