British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of access tunnels leading to the site... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey added. "They were among thousands of UK service members deployed over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
