RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory employed by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was situated in mountains just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of entry passages down to the facility... early reports are that the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as ISIS - enforced jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to stamp out any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," he commented. "They were part of numerous British troops stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who threaten our security, shows how British military are prepared to act, continuously, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Syria and Iraq.
