RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he added. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
