RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
