RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using surveillance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts leading to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he commented. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how British military are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
