British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a series of entry passages providing entry to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to stamp out any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their valour," Healey commented. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who threaten our way of life, highlights how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Islamic State still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in both countries.
