Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the IS group, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels down to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
