British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey said. "Including them were numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
