Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Daesh militant organization, according to the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations says Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
