British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike on an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons 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 evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this strike for their skill and their valour," he said. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
