RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians 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.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
