RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a combined operation against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The facility, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just to the north of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our fighter planes employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a series of entry passages down to the depot... early reports are that the objective was successfully hit," the MoD said.
There was no indication of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - established jihadist rule over large swathes of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
UK warplanes have performed patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any efforts to regroup" of the group after its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this mission for their expertise and their courage," he added. "They were among numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out militants who threaten our security, demonstrates how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on Islamic State objectives in Syria, subsequent to an attack killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN reports Islamic State still has between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
