RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of approach shafts down to the depot... initial indications indicate the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - imposed jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
