Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
