Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the minister said.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "They were among numerous British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in Syria and Iraq.
