British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the IS group, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
