British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an hidden munitions depot in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
