Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels down to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
