RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages leading to the site... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over the festive period. This action, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
