RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
