RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
