British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of entry passages leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our safety, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and strong abroad."
During December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, after an attack resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.