British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels down to the facility... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
