Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "They were part of a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
