RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
