Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by intelligence, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike shows our UK leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of British forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," Healey said. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our security, shows how British military are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
