Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
