British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
