RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
