RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force 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, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of access tunnels down to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
