RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
