RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
