British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder 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 the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
