RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several entry passages leading to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
