RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts leading to the site... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their courage," he added. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
