Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he added. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
