British Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just north of the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a series of approach shafts providing entry to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eradicate any revival of IS and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the minister said.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syria to "prevent any attempted comeback" of the group subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to every member of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their skill and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who endanger our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure domestically and influential overseas."
Last December, the US military carried out what it termed a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The United Nations estimates Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
