Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The location, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of approach shafts down to the site... initial indications indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
