Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several approach shafts leading to the site... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
