British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were among a great many UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK at home and influential overseas."
During December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
