RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French aircraft in a combined operation on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the depot... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the MoD added.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - enforced militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eliminate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed patrols over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this operation for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "Including them were numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to take out militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it called a "major assault" targeting Daesh sites in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. says Daesh still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
