Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
