Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several entry passages leading to the facility... early reports suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank every member of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were thousands of British personnel stationed over the holidays. This operation, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in both countries.
