Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels down to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
