RAF Typhoon jets have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and every plane involved returned safely, the MoD added.
The British jets were supported by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established militant control over large swathes of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action demonstrates British leadership, and determination to work closely with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
British military aircraft have performed surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted comeback" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of British forces who took part in this operation for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "Including them were a great many British personnel on duty over the holidays. This action, to take out militants who threaten our safety, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and strong abroad."
Last December, the United States armed forces conducted what it termed a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a local interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Iraq and Syria.
