Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
