RAF Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," he commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" targeting IS targets in the country, after an assault killed two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
