Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, located using intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he added. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our security, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in the country, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
