RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of entry passages down to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their courage," he added. "They were among a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, protecting the UK within its borders and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says IS still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
