Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - established extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over the holidays. This operation, to take out terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces executed what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still has an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
