British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
