RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this mission for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
