RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
