British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of access tunnels down to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey said. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
