RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who threaten our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
