RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established militant control over parts of both Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows British leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State after its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," he said. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who endanger our safety, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" against Daesh sites in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Islamic State still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
