British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
