RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through surveillance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a number of approach shafts providing entry to the site... initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their bravery," Healey added. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our safety, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an assault killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
