RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
