RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of access tunnels down to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as Daesh - established jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey said. "They were among numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
