British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
