British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," he added. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
