British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their valour," Healey added. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
