British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he said. "They were part of numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an attack killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
