Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey said. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
