Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
