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 Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
