RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The site, located using surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of British troops on duty over the festive period. This mission, to eliminate militants who threaten our security, shows how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an attack killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Daesh still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
