RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, located using intelligence, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of approach shafts down to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous UK service members deployed over the festive period. This action, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "major assault" against IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
