Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, located using surveillance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a series of approach shafts leading to the facility... preliminary assessments are that the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces involved in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were a great many British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to remove terrorist threats who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
