RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports IS still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
