RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, 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 significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of our armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," he commented. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
