Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was located in mountains just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a number of access tunnels providing entry to the site... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced extremist governance over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey added. "Including them were a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to remove dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
