RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove militants who endanger our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
