RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
