British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, identified by reconnaissance, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just to the north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a number of entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the strike was effective," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned to base without incident, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as ISIS - enforced militant control over parts of Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the area," Britain's Defence Chief John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of Islamic State following its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces who took part in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "They were among a great many British troops deployed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who endanger our security, demonstrates how our armed forces are always on standby, continuously, keeping Britain secure within its borders and influential overseas."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "major assault" on IS targets in the country, after an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN says IS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both countries.
