Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several access tunnels providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British troops deployed over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
