Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
