British Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among a great many UK service members stationed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
