Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon fighters were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their skill and their bravery," Healey added. "They were among thousands of British troops on duty over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" on IS targets in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
