RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he added. "Including them were numerous UK service members deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
