RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
