RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation on an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts down to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - established jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many British troops on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who threaten our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
