Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the minister stated.
British military aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush killed two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
