RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages down to the site... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
