Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just above Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed Paveway IV guided bombs to target a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as Daesh - established militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action underscores British leadership, and commitment to work closely with our partners, to stamp out any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their bravery," he commented. "They were among numerous British personnel deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out militants who pose a risk to our safety, shows how British military are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations reports IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in both countries.
