British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages leading to the depot... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
