RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several approach shafts down to the depot... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," he commented. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, highlights how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
