RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
