Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
