RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels leading to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and determination to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous British troops on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
During December, the American forces carried out what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
