RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
