British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
