British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of approach shafts down to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its 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 operation for their professionalism and their valour," he said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
