British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of entry passages down to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," he added. "Including them were numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
