RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this strike for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were numerous UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how UK forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
