British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
