RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of access tunnels down to the depot... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
