RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages leading to the facility... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were a great many British troops deployed over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
