RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
