RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several entry passages leading to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank the personnel of British forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in both countries.
