Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, ensuring Britain's security domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
