Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
