RAF Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike on Saturday evening and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I must thank all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their professionalism and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of thousands of British personnel deployed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
