Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
