British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages down to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he said. "They were among thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
