RAF Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a number of approach shafts down to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of the group following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of British forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military carried out what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
