Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
