Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts down to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
