Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in the country, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
