RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts down to the site... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
