British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," he added. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
