British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages leading to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes 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 stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
