RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
