Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, shows how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
