RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
