RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
