British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages leading to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he added. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
