RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
