RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
