RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and commitment to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
