RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," he commented. "They were among thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
