Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages leading to the depot... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were numerous British troops deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "massive strike" on IS targets in the country, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
