Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
