RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
