RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores 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 region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
