British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
