Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
