RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
