Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside 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 British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of approach shafts down to the site... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established extremist governance over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "Including them were thousands of UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate militants who pose a risk to our security, demonstrates how British military are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "major assault" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
