Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages leading to the site... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - referred to as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank every member of British forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he added. "They were part of a great many British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how British military are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces carried out what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, after an assault claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
