Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
