Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages down to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
