Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
