Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
