RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," he added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, following an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
