British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages leading to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
