RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
