Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels down to the site... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
