RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, identified by surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
