British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syria employed by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, shows how British military are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
