RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove militants who threaten our security, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Syria and Iraq.
