Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages providing entry to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he said. "They were part of numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove militants who endanger our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
