RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
