Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have operated alongside French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the statement said, and was located in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a several approach shafts providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary said. "They were part of thousands of UK service members stationed over the holidays. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and powerful internationally."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an ambush resulted in the deaths of two US troops and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports IS still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
