RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
