British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels leading to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," Healey added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault killed two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
