Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
