RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of entry passages providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "major assault" against Daesh sites in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
