RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," he commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
