RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
