RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a several approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" on Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
