Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages leading to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
