RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
