Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack against an subterranean weapons facility in Syrian territory operated by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was situated in hills just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several access tunnels providing entry to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the ministry announced.
There was no indication of any harm to civilians in the attack conducted Saturday night and every plane involved made a safe return, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
Daesh - also known as the so-called Islamic State - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores our UK leadership, and resolve 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 the Defence Secretary stated.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of our armed forces participating in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," Healey commented. "They were among thousands of British troops deployed over the festive period. This mission, to remove terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how our armed forces are prepared to act, all year round, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it termed a "major assault" against Islamic State objectives in the country, following an attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
