RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces executed what it described as a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
