Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels down to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
