British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting 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 housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
