RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels down to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
