RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
