Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," he added. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
