British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
