British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The location, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to hit a series of approach shafts leading to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as ISIS - enforced extremist governance over parts of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores the UK's leading role, and determination to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have carried out patrols over Syria to "deter any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to the personnel of the UK armed forces participating in this mission for their skill and their courage," Healey said. "Including them were thousands of British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our safety, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, continuously, keeping Britain secure at home and influential overseas."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting Daesh sites in the country, following an assault claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations reports IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
