RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages down to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our security, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
