RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their courage," Healey added. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
