RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages down to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he added. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, highlights how British military are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
