RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
