RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications are that the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eliminate any revival of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State after its routing at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of our armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their valour," Healey commented. "Including them were numerous British personnel deployed over the holidays. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, highlights how British military are always on standby, all year round, protecting the UK within its borders and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military carried out what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Daesh still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
