RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages leading to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their courage," he commented. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
