RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by intelligence, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation underscores British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of British personnel on duty over the festive period. This action, to remove militants who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the United States armed forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in the country, after an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.
