Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several entry passages leading to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
