Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
