RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
