Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several entry passages down to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
