RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts leading to the depot... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
