RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
