British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages leading to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
