RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountains just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the strike conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces involved in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were among a great many British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, following an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
