RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, located using intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels down to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group 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 efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he said. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
