Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a series of entry passages leading to the depot... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were part of thousands of UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
