RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey added. "They were among a great many British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
