Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, located using surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
