RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages leading to the facility... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who threaten our security, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
