RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages leading to the depot... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank the personnel of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their courage," Healey added. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
