RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our security, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
