RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of entry passages down to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
