RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of approach shafts down to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were a great many British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
