British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages leading to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the US military carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
