RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," Healey added. "They were among thousands of UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
