Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The location, pinpointed through intelligence, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "They were part of a great many British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to take out militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are always on standby, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" against Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations says IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both countries.
