British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
