British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, located using surveillance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts leading to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and every plane involved returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - referred to as Daesh - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our allies, to eliminate any resurgence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, ensuring Britain's security domestically and strong abroad."
In December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, following an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
