Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several entry passages leading to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
