British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
