British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
