British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with French warplanes in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was thought to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in hills just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a number of entry passages leading to the site... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon fighters were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as Daesh - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State following its defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of a great many British personnel deployed over the holidays. This action, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, shows how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" on Daesh sites in Syria, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
