British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages down to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
