RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
