British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the site... preliminary assessments suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of British personnel deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
