Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, following an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
