RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
