RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
