British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels leading to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," he added. "Including them were numerous British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
