British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
