British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of British troops stationed over the holidays. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
