British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were among numerous UK service members deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it described as a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
