British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels down to the site... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were among thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
