British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
