Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, located using surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports suggest the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel stationed over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
