RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages leading to the facility... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
