RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," Healey said. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Iraq and Syria.
